Jul 2008
25 Kilometers
07/14/08 23:31 Filed in: Marathon
I’ve committed to running the Chicago Marathon on October 12th. I’ve successfully run three marathons but the last one was a while ago - November of 2001 in Florence, Italy. I think I still have at least one more in me so in April I started training in earnest.
I do progressively longer long runs on the weekends and shorter ones alternating with rest days during the week. Last Saturday the schedule tacked up on my refrigerator dictated a 25K run. That’s 15.5 miles! I ran a 13 miler a couple of weeks ago and it felt pretty good. I had plenty of energy and only in the last two miles did I feel a little uncomfortable tightness in my legs and feet.
This 15.5 miles didn’t feel quite as easy. Note to self: get out the door early in the morning while the cool fog layer still hangs over the waterfront. Don’t wait until the sun is out so you have to suffer in the heat! Other note to self: next time you buy new running shoes don’t break them in on a long run, ease them into rotation on shorter routes. Duh!
Anyway, I did it and lived but I’m still walking a little strangely due to the fact that my stiff quadriceps don’t want to coordinate properly with my other leg muscles. Thankfully next Saturday I only have to run 10 miles.
I do progressively longer long runs on the weekends and shorter ones alternating with rest days during the week. Last Saturday the schedule tacked up on my refrigerator dictated a 25K run. That’s 15.5 miles! I ran a 13 miler a couple of weeks ago and it felt pretty good. I had plenty of energy and only in the last two miles did I feel a little uncomfortable tightness in my legs and feet.
This 15.5 miles didn’t feel quite as easy. Note to self: get out the door early in the morning while the cool fog layer still hangs over the waterfront. Don’t wait until the sun is out so you have to suffer in the heat! Other note to self: next time you buy new running shoes don’t break them in on a long run, ease them into rotation on shorter routes. Duh!
Anyway, I did it and lived but I’m still walking a little strangely due to the fact that my stiff quadriceps don’t want to coordinate properly with my other leg muscles. Thankfully next Saturday I only have to run 10 miles.
Lotusland
07/14/08 21:34 Filed in: Performance
I've heard plenty about the famed garden called Lotusland but last Saturday evening was my first visit there while playing for a private party. Flautist Ricardo Gonzales and I were stationed above the lily pond.
From this position our music could waft down over the scene and we had a beautiful view of blooming lilies, dragonflies and hummingbirds flitting about the flowers, and guests meandering with cocktails in hand. In addition to this there were five people dressed as sparkly butterflies walking about on stilts while a mermaid and merman cavorted beside the pond in the neighboring aloe garden. Several strategically placed bubble machines sent iridescent orbs floating through the air, adding to the ethereal ambience.
We were extra lucky that July is peak blooming season for the lotus plants in the pond. The gardener explained that these were young plants so the blossoms weren't as "big as basketballs" like they will be when they mature but I wasn't the least bit disappointed. The perfect blooms gave off a surreal glow in the late afternoon light.
Irish Fair Harp Competition
07/03/08 23:49 Filed in: Performance
On June 21-22 I missed the annual Santa Barbara Solstice Parade because I was playing at the Irish Fair in Irvine. Temperatures were hovering near 100 degrees so it was miserably hot at the fairgrounds. I felt really sorry for all those bagpipers marching about in wool socks and kilts. Those of us in the harp tent had the most pleasant location near the water where the fountain stirred a bit of breeze to at least keep the air moving. The harp concert stage is located on a small island in the middle of a lake which is quite peaceful and serene...or would be if it weren't for the dratted pipers marching past too frequently. Dennis Doyle and I were adjudicators for the harp competition which was small since this is the first year they've had it. We hope to see the number of competitors increase next year. I had the pleasure of presenting the First Prize ribbon and gift certificate to Jessica, an accomplished and confident 12-year-old.
Wedding at Fess Parker's Double Tree
07/03/08 23:37 Filed in: Weddings
Last weekend I played for a big wedding at Fess Parker's Double Tree and it was definitely one of the most entertaining weddings I've been to in a while. At the reception the newly married couple, along with their numerous bridesmaids and groomsmen, burst out into a well-choreographed dance routine set to rap music. This seems to be a new trend. After that a troupe of Tahitian hula dancers provided colorful hip-shaking excitement with the sound of their traditional drummers pounding all the way down the waterfront. Meanwhile, my harp lounged in the shade on the cocktail deck...
In the Recording Studio
07/03/08 23:19 Filed in: Projects
Last week I spent a day in a recording studio in Laurel Canyon working on a collaborative project with Lisa Lynne and Kim Robertson. This project will include a few other harpists as well, but it's still in development. The final product may be available as soon as October so stay tuned...
